Armadores de Santander Information

The Armadores de Santander occupies three buildings from different eras and styles that were subjected to a renovation process to adapt them to their new purpose. Currently differentiated by the colors of their façades, these buildings make up the whole hotel. Here, different hallmarks and original features are given their proper place, like the Carrara marble staircase, the main dome with its paintings, several walls in rooms and the bar and lobby's interior columns.

As we checked into the hotel it seem quite nice. But when reaching the room, the water was dripping from the ceiling in the bathroom. Then we noticed that the room did not even have a window! In the morning we noticed the water dripping from the broken ceiling in the room as well. We do not think this hotel was worth any kind of stars.

Really enjoyed this beautiful hotel and all its facilities. The hotel is very well situated, 5 minute walk from plaza Vieja, 8 minute walk from a bank, 10 minute walk from Plaza de Los Armas... And 200 feet from the water.

Staff was very nice and curtious. Nice bar in the lobby. Breakfast was great every morning with a beautiful view. The terrasse also offers a relaxing place to go after a day of visiting and again very nice views!

Overall would recommend this hotel to everyone:)

Room Number:
116

Room Block:
not sure what this means

Arrival:
April 16th

Rooms:
116 very nice room. however would have prefered queen bed as opposed to two singles

Restaurants and Bars:
Terrasse and lobby bar very nice

Beach/Pools/Grounds:
Very nice but nowhere near pool or beach

Activities on and off the Resort/Hotel:
Very well situated for day and night activities

I arrived in Havana on the 14th of april, late at night after a very long journey. Although I had made my reservation by internet a long time ago, the receptionist informed me that I had to stay at the hotel Nacional for the first 3 nights and then come back to the hotel Santander for the rest of my holiday, because there was no room left.The hotel Santander did not pay the taxi for me to go to the new hotel, although it was not my fault I had to transfer. Turning back to Santander, I informed the receptionist I would have to go to Trinidad for a couple of nights and I would like to know if I had the possibility to go to a hotel there, always making part to the same company, so as not to lose the money I had already paid.NOBODY could give me an answer!!!!! As a result, I got to Trinidad still leaving my luggage at room in Havana but before leaving I informed the receptionist that there was water droping from the roof in the bathroom, something nobody had fixed till I got back on the 20th.

* electricity failed the first day -> needed to move to another hotel in the night
* water failed the second day from early mornign till afternoon
* very friendly personal
* nice rooms
* location in Havanna was reasonable, but not nice

Unfortunately we didn't get to stay in this hotel as when we arrived there was a problem with the air conditioning and they had no room for us. Instead they wanted to send us to a hotel in Miramar but we were not happy about that as we were taking the early bus to Trinidad next morning. The reception staff were not exactly helpful or friendly it was very much a case of what can we do its not our problem. Also we had a beer while we were waiting to get sorted and my husband paid for them. Three times the barman came looking for payment again. They eventually found us a room in a hotel round the corner in the square which I think was a much better place so we ended up happy!

There are hotels nearby with much more ambience and this hotel even lacks anything more than a breakfast dining room, but for the money it is a best buy! The rooms with a view are great and the staff is very good about upgrading the room, if there is space, at no extra charge. The bar is attractive and is fun to take a break in any time of the day or night.

All of the staff at the Armadores de Santander were very friendly and went the extra mile to make us feel welcome. A great choice for a stay in Hanvana. Room was clean and comfortable and breakfast (included) was good.

We stayed for three nights in April in Armadores de Santander and were very satisfied with the experience. It has a pleasant situation on the harbour on the outskirts of the sightseeing district of Havana Vieja, a short walk from the Plaza Vieja in one direction and the Feria Artisanal in the other. The hotel architecture seems a little austere compared with some of the plant-filled-patio colonial buildings in the heart of the district, but it is airy, smart and clean with good bathrooms and we had a balcony overlooking the harbour. It is also a lot quieter in its position than most others.. It is a historical building, connected with the shipping trade with the Spanish in past centuries. The staff were very efficient and helpful (having travelled around for nearly two weeks we took advantage of the excellent laundry service!) and the breakfasts were very good apart from the coffee, which was awful... But there is a great coffee place on Plaza Vieja so we would start the day's sightseeing with a coffee there! The hotel bar did great cocktails and sandwiches, but we didn't try the restaurant. Just around the corner is the bar Dos Hermanos which was frequented by Hemingway (of course) and gets a mention in most guides. Music there most nights and a genuine Habanera atmosphere.

Room Number:
117

Activities on and off the Resort/Hotel:
There is so much to see and do in Havana. The hotel is best placed to explore Havana Vieja all of which is easily accessible on foot; but Vedado, the Plaza de la Revolucion etc are easy to reach by taxi. We found that we would have a sightseeing aim for the day and end up getting diverted into little fascinating sights and episodes that we wouldn't have known about - this is the joy of just wandering around Havana. We saw a superb art exhibition at the Gran Teatro on the way to visit the Museo de la Revolucion, had a tour of the Armeria after seeing a memorial service outside it, and could sit and watch the children in their Easter holiday structured activities in Plaza Vieja for ages!